Our Story

A native of Davis, CA, Chef David began his culinary journey in New Orleans, where he was immediately attracted to the pace and camaraderie of a professional kitchen. With stints in San Francisco, Napa, and Sonoma counties, he began learning cooking techniques that form the foundation of his work in the kitchen.

His ambitions sent him abroad, where David spent over three years working in Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain and France. Beyond the intense experience he cultivated in the kitchen during these years, his travels shaped an approach to food and cooking which foregrounds quality ingredients while honoring classic techniques and a handmade craft. He was particularly drawn to the bistros of France, where diners find quality, seasonal ingredients at a good price, and the tapa bars of Spain, which invite people to come together to enjoy food, drink, and good company. He appreciated further how each establishment reflected its locale in its ingredients, dishes, and spirit.

On returning to the US, David was named Best New Chef in New Orleans the year before Katrina. David came back to the Sacramento area after the storm, opening The Press Bistro in 2010. At The Press he aspired to create a restaurant that melds the warmth and familiarity of a classic bistro in a distinctly Central Valley setting, taking full advantage of the agricultural bounty that surrounds Sacramento.

Chef David and his team aim to offer their guests a dining experience that is “comfortable, simple, and well-done”. It’s an unassuming ethos that belies David’s hands-on attention to every aspect of The Press, which was awarded a four star review from The Sacramento Bee in 2015. David is proud to work and live in midtown, where you might see him biking to The Press or out enjoying a family ride with his wife and two young sons.